Country Risk Code: Medium
The Philippines is a fabulous country with beautiful landscapes. The country is full of adventure; from the pristine beaches surrounded by clear waters to watching the Sulu hornbill bird, there are a lot of reasons why you should visit this destination. However, if you plan to visit this country, you should be aware of the potential risk involved.
Potential Risk
There is a high rate of criminal activity like assault and robbery even in the capital city of Manila, with visitors being the target. There is also the risk of terrorism, although terrorist attacks do not necessarily target visitors. However, visitors should avoid areas prone to terrorist attacks. There is a high risk of kidnap in the Philippines as there have been cases of foreign visitors being kidnapped. In 2012 three foreign nationals were abducted by Abu Sayyaf, which operates in the East Asia region, while on an adventure. Abu Sayyaf is a terrorist group popularly known for terrorising, carrying, and kidnapping people in the country. Kidnapping carried out by this terror group usually doesn't end well. Abu Sayyaf uses kidnap and ransom to raise money for their long-running campaign and hold captives for as long as until a ransom is paid. Several other foreign visitors have been kidnapped as well. Visitors should note that there is a high risk of being kidnapped and exercise caution at all times. There are also dangerous places to avoid in the Philippines, such as the Marawi city in Mindanao or Sulu archipelago; this place has a high risk of human activities and kidnapping.
Common Scams
The Philippines is saturated with several types of scams that target naive or vulnerable people. Here are a few common scams you should know about:
Money Changers Scam
Most tourists and foreign visitors in the Philippines are usually bound to transact foreign exchange business at one time or the other. However, some foreign exchange operators may use criminals to lure naive customers. They use enticing exchange rates to attract customers and scam them using tricks to reduce the amount of money they pay you.
Taxi Driver Scam
Visitors should know that it's illegal for taxi drivers to solicit passengers at the airport. You should be wary of drivers approaching you at the airport and avoid taxis that stop picking passengers.
ATM card fraud
There are some ATMs that may store your credit card details after you use them; you should be careful of the ATMs you use. Also, be wary of fraudulent shopkeepers who write down your credit card details while you are not aware.
Free Wi-Fi
Be cautious of the Wi-Fi you connect to, as some hackers create free public Wi-Fi to access your banking details and password.
Horse Trading
Horses might seem like a great way to see the city, but horses in the Philippines, especially the Manila area, are usually abused and poorly treated; hence they can become spooked when exposed to loud noise from the city.
Filipino Love Scam
Some Philippines target travellers by promising love to them with the hope of gaining quick citizenship through marriage or getting financial benefits. Visitors are advised to be careful and watch out for red flags such as asking for funds or professing love too quickly.
Health Tips
Insect-borne diseases such as Filariasis, Malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and dengue fever are prevalent in the Philippines. There has been a recent increase in the Zika virus transmission; you should be careful to avoid getting infected with the virus as there are no available vaccines yet. Waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera are also prevalent.
Travel tips
Choosing The Right Cover for Your Trip to the Philippines
Due to the high risk of being kidnapped, it is essential that you get kidnap and Ransom insurance to protect you if you are traveling to this country. Some insurance companies may not provide standard cover for the Philippines; check that your insurance covers the Philippines before traveling to this destination. Medical bills could be expensive, especially if you fall ill unexpectedly, so you should get travel insurance that covers health emergencies.